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Los Altos's Honcho Bar to close Feb. 14

Uploaded: Feb 11, 2019

After three years of serving beer, wine and low-proof cocktails at 235 1st St. in Los Altos, Honcho Bar will close its doors this Thursday, Feb. 14.

"It's been a fun three years serving up unique selections to our customers," a statement posted on the Honcho website reads. "Honcho was created with small family businesses & producers in mind. We hope we brought new & interesting stories to our guests."

Owner Rod Newman declined to comment on the reasons for the closure but cited the "cost of doing business in the Bay Area." A veteran of the food and drink industries, he opened Honcho in 2016 to create a "gathering space for people to work or get to know each other or share a meal or just have happy hour," he said at the time. In addition to craft beer and wine, Honcho served sake, sangria, coffee, tea and some food.

Patrons lamented the closure on Honcho's Facebook page, many of them writing that Honcho brought a unique concept to Los Altos.

"Super sad to hear this news. Thank you for encouraging another type of drinking establishment without TV. WITH unique and fun wines, ciders and beers," Kristi Courtney Gulesserian wrote.

"Sad day for Los Altos," Sarah Cilker wrote. "This was the only bar within walking distance from my house that inspired an intergenerational sense of community."

Honcho's last day will be Valentine's Day.

"If we can say goodbye & leave folks with satisfying, fun memories then we have succeeded in our mission," Honcho's statement reads.